How to Get the Best User Experience From Your Next Video Conference

We have, well most of us have now tried Skype, FaceTime, and even GoogleTalk and some of us have tried various cloud based video conferencing services like GoToMeeting, WebEx, Easymeeting etc... however like first riding your bike it takes time to get out glitches and I am not talking about picture quality, sound etc... but how to be best received and how you will gain the best user experience.

1-Position
Prior to any video meeting it is important to know where the camera (web, stationary traditional, etc...) is. Often one sits in a meeting and stares right at someone´s forehead or left eye or ear or the ceiling. You should be seated in front of your camera. Run a test several minutes before your call by connecting to the “cloud” and look at yourself. One can also do this at the very start of the meeting but be aware of your camera and seated position.

2-Appearance
This scares many veteran telephone conference call users. They often are at home in shorts and sweats. Ok you can still wear sweats or shorts but put a nice shirt/blouse on unless your company, meeting counterpart are very casual. When in Rome...

3-Pay Attention
Fumbling around on your smart phone, PC/Mac, getting coffee in the middle of meeting is a definite NO NO! Remember you are not in Kansas anymore (no pun intended) or should I say... you are not on a pictureless call anymore. Everything you do, everyone can see. Pay attention, focus on the meeting, leave the laptop, smartphone behind. Unless you want to re-do that meeting again and again as little gets accomplished.

4-Speak Clearly
Speak clearly while video is a great and necessary “option” to traveling and belly to belly the reality is it still relies on users speaking clearly and near to their microphone. Double check your battery life on your handsfree set if you use a laptop or tablet/smartphone and ask one time...”can everyone hear me”. Like the phone in the early 1900s... this was a question that had to be asked..not just because of sound quality worries but because it was a new technology and took some time getting used to. Remember the fax machine? Send a fax, call after..”did you get my fax?” Trust in technology takes time.

5-Be on Time
Like you would receive a guest at your office... meet up in time. Nothing is worse than the assumption that since someone is not physically in attendance I can stroll in when I am ready. WRONG!

6-Practice...
Like any “sport” practice makes perfect. After just a few video conferences and by following these tips you will have a great experience.

Remember video conferencing has become more main stream than ever and is a great environmentally friendly way to save time and money and no less the environment. Meet everyone, anywhere at anytime with videoconferencing. www.easymeeting.net